Raw milk crusader Michael Schmidt says the Ontario government is “clutching at straws” by appealing a court ruling that found him not guilty of violating the province’s Milk Act.
The Ministry of the Attorney General has confirmed it is appealing a decision by a justice of the peace on Jan. 21 to dismiss 19 charges against Schmidt related to selling and distributing raw milk and raw milk products.
Schmidt said the government is “underestimating the food freedom movement.”
“This is not about milk—this is about the respect for the individual’s right to make choices without government interference,” Schmidt said in a press release.
“This is now the next stage in a serious battle, a clear declaration by government to rob people of their fundamental freedoms.”
In late 2006, inspectors from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources along with several police officers raided Schmidt’s Glencolton Farms and confiscated his equipment, a computer, and documents.
The Ministry of the Attorney General has confirmed it is appealing a decision by a justice of the peace on Jan. 21 to dismiss 19 charges against Schmidt related to selling and distributing raw milk and raw milk products.
Schmidt said the government is “underestimating the food freedom movement.”
“This is not about milk—this is about the respect for the individual’s right to make choices without government interference,” Schmidt said in a press release.
“This is now the next stage in a serious battle, a clear declaration by government to rob people of their fundamental freedoms.”
In late 2006, inspectors from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources along with several police officers raided Schmidt’s Glencolton Farms and confiscated his equipment, a computer, and documents.
Although selling raw (unpasteurized) milk is illegal in Canada, it is legal to consume it. Schmidt distributes his milk to consumers who buy “cow-shares” in exchange for the animals’ milk.
Shareholders sign a formal contract and receive a card that allows them to obtain their own milk.
The direct sale of raw milk violates laws that require pasteurization of most commercial milk products. It is also illegal to give raw milk away in Canada.
Justice of the Peace Paul Kowarsky found that Schmidt’s method of distributing his milk did not break any laws and the Crown produced no evidence of anyone getting sick as a result of consuming it.
Schmidt’s cow-share members are informed of the potential risks, Kowarsky said, adding that several countries have legalized raw milk.
“In 2006, after the raid on our farm, I said the government made a big mistake using an army of 25 armed officers to shut a farmer down. Justice Paul Kowarsky proved me right,” said Schmidt, who has a master’s degree in farming.
Shareholders sign a formal contract and receive a card that allows them to obtain their own milk.
The direct sale of raw milk violates laws that require pasteurization of most commercial milk products. It is also illegal to give raw milk away in Canada.
Justice of the Peace Paul Kowarsky found that Schmidt’s method of distributing his milk did not break any laws and the Crown produced no evidence of anyone getting sick as a result of consuming it.
Schmidt’s cow-share members are informed of the potential risks, Kowarsky said, adding that several countries have legalized raw milk.
“In 2006, after the raid on our farm, I said the government made a big mistake using an army of 25 armed officers to shut a farmer down. Justice Paul Kowarsky proved me right,” said Schmidt, who has a master’s degree in farming.
Shortly after the raid, the Ontario Ministry of Health issued a warning of the health risks posed by untreated milk, which range from mild illness to death.
Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weak immune systems are particularly vulnerable to becoming seriously ill, the Ministry said, as unpasteurized milk contains several harmful pathogens, including a virulent strain of E.coli.
Since the raid, the case has drawn the attention of food rights activists in Canada and around the world who see it as an important development in the fight for people’s freedom to choose what they eat and to buy the food they want.
In recent years, there has been a burgeoning demand for raw milk and its products. Raw milk advocates question the logic of keeping the sale of it illegal when it is safely sold in many European countries and several U.S. states.
Schmidt fears the government’s reluctance to allow the regulated sale of raw milk will result in irresponsible farmers cashing in on the growing demand by selling unpasteurized milk without adhering to proper production safety measures.
Since he was charged in 2006, the size of the herd he manages has doubled. There is also a waiting list of consumers wishing to participate in his raw milk dairy.
Schmidt breeds Canadienne cows, which feed on green pasture from late May to early November. During the winter they survive on hay and a supplement of finely ground weeds, sticks and herbs, all from the farm.
While pasteurization rapidly heats the milk in order to kill the bad bacteria, proponents of raw milk claim the process also destroys the availability of calcium as well as enzymes and other qualities that give raw milk its rich taste and high nutritional value.
Raw milk has been credited with alleviating conditions such as asthma, insomnia, Crohn’s disease, and allergies. A 2006 British study found that drinking just a few glasses of raw milk a week reduced a child’s chances of developing eczema by close to 40 per cent, and hay fever by 10 per cent.
However, Health Canada has warned that “any possible benefits are far outweighed by the serious risk of illness from drinking raw milk.”
Schmidt is co-director of the Canadian Alliance for Raw Milk (ARM), a newly formed group that is also organizing in the U.S. whose aim is to promote food freedom and people’s “right to farm their own land and trade/share the produce with others.”
ARM is already organized in Ontario and British Columbia, and thousands have joined the alliance in Wisconsin and Ohio with more states pending, according to a release.
Schmidt said he is “ready to move to the next level. And I have thousands of people ready to stand with me.”
Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weak immune systems are particularly vulnerable to becoming seriously ill, the Ministry said, as unpasteurized milk contains several harmful pathogens, including a virulent strain of E.coli.
Since the raid, the case has drawn the attention of food rights activists in Canada and around the world who see it as an important development in the fight for people’s freedom to choose what they eat and to buy the food they want.
In recent years, there has been a burgeoning demand for raw milk and its products. Raw milk advocates question the logic of keeping the sale of it illegal when it is safely sold in many European countries and several U.S. states.
Schmidt fears the government’s reluctance to allow the regulated sale of raw milk will result in irresponsible farmers cashing in on the growing demand by selling unpasteurized milk without adhering to proper production safety measures.
Since he was charged in 2006, the size of the herd he manages has doubled. There is also a waiting list of consumers wishing to participate in his raw milk dairy.
Schmidt breeds Canadienne cows, which feed on green pasture from late May to early November. During the winter they survive on hay and a supplement of finely ground weeds, sticks and herbs, all from the farm.
While pasteurization rapidly heats the milk in order to kill the bad bacteria, proponents of raw milk claim the process also destroys the availability of calcium as well as enzymes and other qualities that give raw milk its rich taste and high nutritional value.
Raw milk has been credited with alleviating conditions such as asthma, insomnia, Crohn’s disease, and allergies. A 2006 British study found that drinking just a few glasses of raw milk a week reduced a child’s chances of developing eczema by close to 40 per cent, and hay fever by 10 per cent.
However, Health Canada has warned that “any possible benefits are far outweighed by the serious risk of illness from drinking raw milk.”
Schmidt is co-director of the Canadian Alliance for Raw Milk (ARM), a newly formed group that is also organizing in the U.S. whose aim is to promote food freedom and people’s “right to farm their own land and trade/share the produce with others.”
ARM is already organized in Ontario and British Columbia, and thousands have joined the alliance in Wisconsin and Ohio with more states pending, according to a release.
Schmidt said he is “ready to move to the next level. And I have thousands of people ready to stand with me.”
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